The Chemin de Saint-Régis allows you to follow in the footsteps of Jean-François Régis, patron saint of handmade lacemakers. Described as a “walker of God”, he could also have been one of the walkers given that he covered between 40 to 60 km per day!

On the GR®430 follow in the footsteps of Saint-Régis who surveyed the valleys and mountains, from Velay to the Ardèche plateaus. Today, pilgrims and hikers follow in his footsteps to discover, in complete serenity, breathtaking landscapes.

The Chemin de Saint-Régis is a loop hike from Puy-en-Velay which can be browsed in 9 days. With a total distance of 201 km, this hike will take you to the Velay plateaus. You will discover a magnificent region of medium mountains, whether on the volcanic plateaus of Mezenc or Meygal, the granite plateau of Montfaucon.

TECHNICAL SHEET

GR®430 WAY OF SAINT RÉGIS

  • Departure/Arrival: Le Puy-en-Velay
  • Distance: 201km
  • Duration: 9 days
  • Means of transport for departure/arrival: Puy-en-Velay SNCF station
  • Website : www.rando-hauteloire.fr

Recommended stages of the Chemin de Saint-Régis GR®430:

  • Stage 1: from Puy-en-Velay to Monastier-sur-Gazeille: 18.5 km
  • Stage 2: from Monastier-sur-Gazeille to Saint-Front: 21 km
  • Stage 3: from Saint-Front to Saint-Agrève: 26.5 km
  • Stage 4: from Saint-Agrève to Lalouvesc: 27.5 km
  • Stage 5: from Lalouvesc to Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid: 19 km
  • Stage 6: from Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid to Dunières: 17 km
  • Stage 7: from Dunières to Tence: 23.5 km
  • Stage 8: from Tence to Queyrières: 19 km
  • Stage 9: from Queyrières to Puy-en-Velay: 28 km

A COLORFUL HERITAGE

Calvaries, chapels, works of art…all along the path of Saint-Régis, we discover heritage riches. It all begins in the Marian city of Puy-en-Velay! THE GR®430 begins and ends in front of thecollege church, in the old town of Puy-en-Velay.

The town of Puy-en-Velay is the authenticity of an astonishing site shaped by volcanism and breathtaking religious buildings. The Hôtel-Dieu and the Puy-en-Velay Cathedral are included on the list of Unesco World Heritage under the paths of Saint-Jacques of Compostela.

The essential heritage sites on the Chemin de Saint-Régis:

  • In Puy-en-Velay: the National Lace Conservatory, the Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe chapel, the Notre de France Statue, the Crozatier Museum
  • At Monastier-sur-Gazeille: the abbey church and the Museum of Popular Beliefs
  • In Moudeyres: The ecomuseum of the Perrel brothers’ farm
  • In Saint-Front: the church and the lake
  • In Montfaucon: the collection of Flemish paintings in the Notre Dame chapel
  • In Dunières: the Romanesque church
  • In Tence: the chapel-museum of the white penitents
  • In Saint Julien Chapteuil: the Jules Romain Museum
  • In Lalouvesc: the Esther and Félix Oudin Museum of Sacred Art
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IN THE HEART OF WIDE SPACES

Step by step between Haute-Loire and Ardèche…

The Chemin de Saint Régis has great natural wealth since it is balanced between Haute-Loire and Ardèche. Part of the route is located in the majestic Monts d'Ardèche Regional Natural Park. Set off to discover the GR®430 means meeting the mountains and valleys, becoming familiar with the volcanic plateaus and discovering exceptional nature in a forest setting

Hike towards the summit of Mont Mézenc

The meeting with the giant of Mézenc

It is in the heart of the Mézenc volcanic plateaus that the encounter with the volcanoes takes place. Fine, aromatic lawns mingle with coniferous forests to the delight of the herds. We find Moudeyres and its slate cottages which recall the village of Asterix, and then Fay-sur-Lignon and Saint-Front with the slate farms. THE summit of Mézenc and the highest in Haute-Loire worth the detour with its 1753 meters of altitude.  

The wild land of Haute-Ardèche

On the side of Saint-Agrève, we find ourselves at an altitude of 1050 meters in the heart of a green plateau with an invigorating climate. There we discover the blue of lakes and rivers surrounded by moors and meadows. THE Devesset Lake is one of the must-see sites. Classified as a Natura 2000 area, it is nestled in a green setting surrounded by forests and blessed with remarkable wildlife. A real pleasure to walk on the path around the lake and take a little dip. The Saint-Régis route crosses the 4 communes of the Saint-Agrève region at the crossroads of the high valleys of Doux and Eyrieux.

Val d’Ay, Green Ardèche

As its name suggests, it is an immersion in the heart of the green landscapes that we discover. The castles, the heritage and even the gourmet restaurants are all of the riches of Val d'Ay. A forest setting protects its men and women and their know-how. An enchanted parenthesis… in the footsteps of Saint-Régis perhaps.

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Between Velay and Haut-Lignon, bucolic land with an Irish feel

A little further away is the village of Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid that we can discover.. Village perched at 1159 meters above sea level, we encounter burle and the bitter cold of winter but the hospitality and gastronomy warm hearts.

A little further south, we find the territory of Haut-Lignon. Moorland landscape reminiscent of Ireland, a country shaped by the erosion of the Lignon river. It is classified as a Natura 2000 zone. It has its source at Mont-Mezenc before flowing into the Loire. A bucolic territory, we discover the beautiful colors of violets, daffodils and daffodils. At the borders of Velay and Vivarais, we stroll through the old neighborhoods of Tenence.

Volcanic emotion and the juices of Meygal

They are the extension of the Mézenc massif, wilder and more intimate. The unique relief of this volcanic plateau offers a breathtaking view, especially after Queyrieres where we dive towards Saint-Julien-Chapteuil. A pond with green meadows spreads out at the foot of the large Testavoyre, the culmination of Megal, surrounded by a large forest. The meygal is the encounter with the old stones, the mills and all these riches of our heritage. 


PRACTICAL TIPS

Plotting on an IGN map, description of the route, references to accommodation, restaurants, more generally all practical services, presentation of emblematic elements and reading of the landscapes, the Topoguide, light and easy to slip into the bag, is the tool essential to ensure peace of mind!


GPX TRACK

FAQ

Lace is a symbol of the heritage dear to the Puy-en-Velay basin. At the time of Saint-François Régis, it was already very widespread. The parliament of Toulouse decided to prohibit its use under penalty of a fine in the 17th century. The consequences were dramatic for the women devoted to this craft. It was then that Saint-François Régis interceded to save this heritage. From then on, he was named Patron Saint of Lacemakers.

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